Mark Starns Named New Apollo Boys Basketball Coach

When winter sports return, Apollo High School will have a new head boys' basketball coach. Lexington native Mark Starns was introduced during a virtual meeting with players and families on Wednesday.

Starns has nearly 40 years of coaching experience under his belt beginning as an assistant as his alma mater Lexington Catholic back in 1982. He will be leaving Union County High School where he was an assistant boys' coach and assistant athletic director.

He has served as a head coach at Burgin HS, Johnson Central HS, Henderson County HS, Fleming County HS, and his last head coaching job was at Union County (2014-2016).

Starns also has assistant coaching experience in the NBA. He was a video coordinator, scout, and assistant coach to Rick Pitino with the Boston Celtics when Pitino returned to the NBA in 1997, after his stint at Kentucky.

He took Fleming County to the KHSAA Boys State Basketball tournament in 2013-2014. He also won a regional title with Johnson Central in 2006.

Former Apollo player Steve Barker resigned as head coach in March after six seasons with his alma mater. Barker, an All-State player his senior year, was a member of the 1978 undefeated Eagles team.

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